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See article below for a statement on the passing of Senator Avel Gordly and Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Ballots Are Out: Cast Your Vote in Our Homecare Leadership Election
Voting for our homecare sublocal leadership election has now begun! Paper ballots were mailed by the U.S. Postal Service on February 10th. Get ready to fill in your ballot by reviewing who’s running for office – click here to view candidate statements and photos.
Completed ballots will only be accepted by postal mail and are due back to Ryder Election Services by Tuesday, March 10, 2026. To give your ballot plenty of mailing time, drop it in the mailbox by March 1, 2026.
If you have any issues with your ballot or questions about the election, email elections@seiu503.org or call the SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 844-503-SEIU (7348).
For union elections frequently asked questions and other resources, check out our union elections page online at seiu503.org/WeAre503/.
Want to get together with your coworkers to interact and vote? Keep an eye on your email for in-person voting meetings in your area. It’s a great way to gather with your fellow care providers, get your questions answered and exercise our right to elect our union leadership!
Oregon’s Short Session is Almost Over – Let’s Finish Strong!
By the time you receive our next biweekly newsletter, Oregon’s 2026 “short” session will be over. Things have been fast and furious at the Oregon legislature, driven primarily by a projected $900 million budget gap due to new federal tax cuts for the rich and megacorporations.
SEIU members have been at the Capitol speaking with legislators and testifying on issues like rejecting new tax cuts for the wealthy to balance our budget, funding ODOT, and preventing layoffs. In the final days of session, we are laser focused on budget, ODOT, protecting workers, and also the need to stabilize higher education as we go into bargaining.
We need to keep the momentum going and finish strong. You can do your part by emailing your representative now and telling them to join the senate in canceling the worst new corporate handouts so we can prevent agency and job cuts for our members. Take action now.
PHOTO: SEIU 503 President Johnny Earl leading our budget rally
From Homecare to the Senate Floor: Consumer Voices Honored at the Capitol
It was a memorable day at the Capitol on February 18, as Senator Deb Patterson welcomed SEIU 503 homecare client consumer, Ruth, as her special guest on the Oregon Senate floor. For Ruth, who is member leader Joy’e Willman’s consumer, the experience was both exciting and deeply meaningful—a rare opportunity to see the legislative process up close and be recognized in such a special way.
Members are grateful to Senator Patterson – who is a care provider and SEIU 503 member – for extending this invitation and for her continued commitment to homecare workers and consumers alike. Moments like these highlight the importance of ensuring that the voices of those directly impacted by public policy are seen and heard in the places where decisions are made.
PHOTOS FROM LEFT: Homecare Consumer, Ruth with Senator Deb Patterson and SEIU 503 Care Provider Joy’e Willman at the Oregon State Capitol.
Statement on the Passing of Senator Avel Gordly and Reverend Jesse Jackson
SEIU Local 503 joins communities in Oregon and across the nation in mourning the passing of Avel Gordly and Jesse Jackson, two extraordinary leaders whose lives were dedicated to justice, dignity, lifting up Black communities, and opportunity for working people.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we are reminded that Black history is not only about reflection; it’s about resilience, courage, and hope. Senator Avel Gordly embodied that spirit. As Oregon’s first Black woman legislator and state senator, she broke barriers and ensured that communities excluded from power had a voice in shaping our state’s future. Her leadership on racial justice, education, and equity leaves a lasting imprint on Oregon.
Reverend Jesse Jackson was a moral force in the fight for civil rights and economic justice nationwide. For decades, he challenged our nation to live up to its highest ideals, including expanding opportunity, defending voting rights, and standing firmly with working families. His work reminded us that progress is possible when ordinary people organize and raise their voices together.
We honor their legacies by recommitting ourselves to the unfinished work they advanced. Their lives are a testament to the power of hope, hope that systems can change, that barriers can fall, and that a more just and inclusive future is within reach.
SEIU 503 stands in solidarity with their families, loved ones, and the many communities they inspired. May we carry forward their courage, their vision, and their unwavering belief in justice for all.
Meet CIRCUIT: Your 24/7 Shortcut to Answers
We’re rolling out CIRCUIT—a new chatbot built to make it faster and easier for care providers to find reliable information, whenever you need it. Members have told us that sometimes you just want a quick answer to a simple question: Where’s the training info? How do I check my benefits? Which form do I need? CIRCUIT is here for exactly that—ask your straightforward, everyday questions—any time of day or night.
CIRCUIT is how people who just want a simple answer can get it ask your straightforward, everyday questions—any time of day or night—and be on their way. And Member Assistance Representatives staff are still available when needed during contact center hours.
The Member Assistance Center (MAC) is still here with the same support you count on during contact center hours. CIRCUIT doesn’t replace MAC staff or reduce human support—it’s an added option that helps with frequently asked questions, so our team can stay available to help more members on the phones.
Do you need to talk to a live person who can help you with a worker-related issue? Reach the MAC at 844-503-7348 or contact@seiu503.org. Want to try the new tool? Visit 503chat.com.
Free Tax Preparation Services for Qualified Members
Tax season is here! Oregon workers have access to several free tax preparation resources through union partnerships and state programs:
- OSU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): Members with a household income of less than $85,000 can receive free, IRS-certified tax help from Oregon State University’s VITA program. Appointments: Available in-person at the OSU campus or virtually. Contact: Schedule through the OSU VITA website or email vita.cob@oregonstate.edu.
- IRS and Oregon Direct File: A free service for Oregonians to file both federal and state taxes directly with the government. Check eligibility on the IRS Direct File website.
- MyFreeTaxes (United Way): Taxpayers earning less than $67,000 can file for free through MyFreeTaxes.com, a secure platform provided by United Way in partnership with H&R Block.
- Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR): Provides a list of free help sites, including local libraries and community centers across Oregon. You can find local sites using the IRS VITA Locator Tool.
Additional Member Resources:
- Canopy (Employee Assistance Program): State employees have free access to interactive tax calculators and financial planning tools.
- ARAG Legal Insurance: Members enrolled in this optional benefit have access to professional tax advice and consultations.
Around Our Union: Higher Education Members Rally on First Day of Bargaining at UO
Last Thursday was the first official day of bargaining for classified staff at Oregon’s 7 public universities. Hundreds of people showed up for a rally outside the UO amphitheater where bargaining took place and signed a banner committing to solidarity as a “Valentine’s Day card” to management. After hearing speeches from SEIU 503 President, UO alumni and worker Johnny Earl, UO member leader Annie McVay and leaders from other unions, workers marched to the offices of the executive team to deliver their Valentine to management. Check out video of the action here.
Join Us to Support Higher Ed in Southern Oregon. Southern Oregon University (SOU) is facing a $4 million shortfall this July. Not only does this shortfall threaten the jobs of SEIU members and other workers at the university, it also hurts students and communities served by SOU.
In today’s economic climate, providing an opportunity for higher education to Southern Oregonians is more important than ever and losing this institution would be deeply felt on and off campus. Higher education is a pathway to economic stability that students in southern Oregon rely on. Graduates earn nearly a million dollars more over their lifetime, dramatically increasing the quality of life for them and their families. SOU is one of the largest employers in the region and is home to nearly 200 SEIU represented workers. This is a lifeline for Ashland, the surrounding region, and our state as a whole.
Workers all over Oregon are coming together to fight for these jobs and keep access to higher education alive in Southern Oregon. Join us in supporting the requested bridge funding and protect Southern Oregon University, its workforce and the community.
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Upcoming Events Register events at Seiu503.org/calendarBe sure to check the events calendar regularly for regional meetings in your area! |
